Ex-state health inspector jailed for allegedly taking cash from restaurant owners
Published 10:16 pm Thursday, February 21, 2019
A former health inspector with the Mississippi Department of Health was charged with embezzlement and altering public records, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office reported Thursday.
Prosecutors contend Willie Anderson, 59, was accepting cash from employees and owners of food establishments in Holmes County, presumably for more favorable health inspection ratings or avoidance of citations for code violations.
He was also indicted for falsifying public health department records belonging to the Mississippi Department of Health. Both counts are felonies.
If convicted, Anderson faces up to 30 years in jail—20 years on the embezzlement charge and 10 years for falsifying public records.
This case was investigated by the State Auditor’s Office as well as Attorney General Investigator Perry Tate of the AG’s Public Integrity Division. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Brad Oberhousen.